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The time for before the Ashes exchanges and squad predictions is almost over following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member lineup to take on the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match points to the necessity for composed temperaments during the heated Ashes series, with the newcomer selected for the first time replacing aggressive opener Sam Konstas.

But with the batsman finding form and the remaining inexperienced members being a pair of pace backups, there is a known quality to the squad even without injured captain Pat Cummins. Following is the way each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will face the aggressive style, with a rating out of five showing their potential influence on the series starting on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once again selected as a back-up after being a regular presence in the white-ball sides in recent years. As Cummins's return still unknown, and the remaining main bowlers confronting a tough fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to sustain his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

Second. Scott Boland

The fourth best seamer in Australia has become a object for the opposition for his modest performances during the previous series as much as for his quiet personality away from the field. But the 36-year-old has claimed a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at international cricket and ought to seize the uncommon opportunity to start a series in the opener. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The first-choice gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an battle looking to stand out with the bat and his keeping, as much as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing the English batsman at Lord's in 2023. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more composed batter if needed to accelerate or help steer the tail with a game-changing innings. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The state seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few matches and is returning following taking 33 wickets – featuring 11 in the last match – at an average of 24.15 in last summer’s Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is now within reach while the captain is sidelined and the front-line fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five-match series in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The acclaimed all-rounder had been identified for the national side from an early stage in his journey despite fitness issues, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant contribution to a pivotal series. The 26-year-old was the standout of the top-order batters while coming in at first drop in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but could be selected lower down to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If Green can realistically be picked as a genuine bowling option in Perth, or might have to be trusted to deliver bulk overs during the campaign, could be decided in the Sheffield Shield match this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The consistent fast bowler is at the height of his powers after carrying the white-ball attack and fine-tuning for the contest during games against India. The 34-year-old’s consistent accuracy, and touch of swing whether seam movement or swing, is bound to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the ongoing concern whether he can feature in four or maybe as many as all five matches. ★★★★☆

7. Travis Head

The devastating batter is crucial to the team's hopes of seizing the initiative against the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to hit huge scores as the pressure rise. A couple of centuries against India recently, and the same the last time the English toured for five Tests highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a knack of finding a breakthrough wicket with his part-time but underestimated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second keeper in the squad showed that he must also be viewed as a specialist batsman when hitting a century at more than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle-order though he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which might fit a consistent position as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned stays even amid demands for a new blood at the top of the order following strengthening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent recently. But after being among several batsmen unable to deal with India’s the paceman previously, the veteran requires a good beginning against the English pace attack in what could be his final campaign to make sure he can make the call personally on when to retire the cap. ★★☆☆☆

10. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has put a dismal form and the indignity of being dropped in the past to force his way back into the Australia squad – and certainly the playing eleven to play in Perth. His blistering form with five hundreds in his last eight knocks might give the selectors the confidence to back him to bat first if needed alongside Khawaja, though the batsman is more likely to trouble the opposition when playing at his preferred number three. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The off-spinner became as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking efforts following a calf injury in the second match contributed to change the series when the team toured the UK in 2023. The 37-year-old did not have the domestic series he hoped for against India with only a modest haul previously but bounced back to be vital to Australia’s clean sweeps in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the team until C